Tourism New York Times selects Toyama and Osaka as top destinations in 2025

The New York Times has included Toyama and Osaka in its annual list of "52 Places to Go," recognizing them as top travel destinations for 2025. The Times lauded Toyama, situated between the Sea of Japan and the Japanese Alps, for offering a unique blend of cultural experiences and exceptional cuisine while avoiding the throngs of tourists often encountered in more popular destinations.

Toyama City reached number 30, and Osaka City number 38.

Toyama has been attracting visitors in its ongoing recovery following last year's devastating earthquake and torrential rain that impacted the neighbouring Ishikawa Prefecture. Mayor Hirohisa Fujii expressed his enthusiasm for the recognition, stating that it was excellent news for the city and a cause for celebration with its residents. He further noted a recent surge in tourism from Western countries. He hoped this recognition would further incentivize international travellers to visit Toyama.

The Times singled out the city's Glass Art Museum, designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, and the annual Owara Kaze no Bon festival — a Bon dance festival held every September with more than 300 years of history — as highlights of the city's appeal, while also complimenting its culinary scene. The city of Osaka also made it onto the list, commended for its "newfound green space," noting the city's recent "game-changing project Grand Green Osaka" that has converted a rail yard in the Osaka Station area into a hub with shopping malls, greenery and Japan's first Waldorf Astoria hotel set to open later this year.

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Why Did The New York Times Recommend Toyama City? An Interview with the Writer and Reactions from Locals
The New York Times has released its list of "52 Places to Go in 2025." From Japan, Osaka City and Toyama City in the Hokuriku region were selected.


Why was Toyama City Chosen as One of the "52 Places to Go in 2025"?

Anchor Ami Yoshihara explained:
Osaka City made the list due to the upcoming Osaka-Kansai Expo scheduled for April 2025. On the other hand, Toyama City was recognized for offering a cultural and culinary experience without the overwhelming crowds often found in major tourist destinations.
Toyama City lies between the Sea of Japan and the Tateyama Mountain Range.

Access to Toyama:
From Tokyo: About 1 hour by plane or 2 hours and 5 minutes by the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
From Osaka or Nagoya: Approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes by train.
According to Toyama City's Tourism Policy Division, the region is often treated as a "pass-through" point, as nearby areas like Takayama and Kanazawa draw more attention. However, Toyama's compact size, walkability, and convenient public transport system stood out.

Toyama's Popular Tourist Attractions: A "World's Most Beautiful Starbucks"?

Let's look at the rankings of Toyama's top tourist spots for 2023 and 2024:

2023:
Fugan Canal Kansui Park
Snow Corridor
Toyama Glass Art Museum

2024:
Daikanbo
Fugan Canal Kansui Park
Toyama Glass Art Museum

The Fugan Canal Kansui Park consistently ranks highly, located just a 10-minute walk (800 meters) from Toyama Station. It is famed among foreign visitors for being home to one of the "most beautiful Starbucks in the world."

This Starbucks, known as the Toyama Kansui Park Store, features a three-sided glass design offering panoramic views of the park throughout the changing seasons. Visitors can enjoy scenic views of bridges and waterways; the atmosphere transforms beautifully with nighttime lighting.

Foreign visitors have praised it as:
"One of the most beautiful Starbucks in the world. Glass walls and a terrace with stunning views."
"The world's most gorgeous nighttime Starbucks!"

Adjacent to Starbucks is a cherry blossom avenue, which enhances the area's allure during spring and draws numerous photography enthusiasts.

For many foreign visitors accustomed to seeing Starbucks primarily in urban settings, this seamless blend of architecture and nature is both rare and captivating.

Lessons from Yamaguchi City: A Past Selection
Anchor Yoshihara also noted that Yamaguchi City was included in the New York Times' "Places to Go in 2024."
When asked about the impact, Koji Yoshimoto, Executive Director of the Yuda Onsen Ryokan Cooperative, commented:
"The frequency of seeing foreign tourists in the city has increased, but it hasn't reached the point where the streets are flooded with them."

Foreign visitor numbers at Yuda Onsen rose:
From the U.S.: Approximately double.
From Europe: About 1.4 times.
Overall: 8,385 to 9,467.

The article accompanying the New York Times' selection prominently featured an image of Ryufukuji Temple during the fall season, which drew significant interest.

Looking ahead to 2025, Yamaguchi is poised to attract more visitors with the unveiling of the restored Rurikoji Five-Story Pagoda, a national treasure undergoing renovations, in March. Yoshimoto stated, "We hope 2025 will be the year for visitors to experience Yamaguchi."